Railway hopper car body provided with an elongated loading hatch in the roof thereof



Aug. 16, 1966 A. E PRICE ET AL RAILWAY HOPPER CAR BODY PROVIDED WITH AN ELONGATED LOADING HATCH IN THE ROOF THEREOF 4 Sheets-Shet 1 Filed Aug. 6, 1964 Ndfm m S I mum n O H, NP E VE 1 INITE M) E. v L B 6 M 1 4 Aug. 16, 1966 PR|E ET AL RAILWAY HOPPER CAR BODY PROVIDED WITH AN ELONGATED LOADING HATCH IN THE ROOF THEREOF 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 6, 1964 Aug. 16, 1966 p c ET AL 3,266,440

RAILWAY HOPPER CAR BODY PROVIDED'WITH AN ELONGATED LOADING HATCH IN THE ROOF THEREOF Filed Aug. 6, 1964 4 Sheecs$heet 5 FIG.6

Aug. 16, 1966 PRlCE ET AL 3,266,440

RAILWAY HOPPER CAR BODY PROVIDED WITH AN ELONGATED LOADING HATCH IN THE ROOF THEREOF- Filed Aug. 6, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 7

JJ---75 Y L] 72 INVENTOR.

ALBERT E. PRICE BY LEE H. SH/LS 7' ATTYS.

United States Patent 3,266,440 RAILWAY HOPPER CAR BODY PROVIDED WITH AN ELONGATED LOADING HATCH IN THE ROOF THEREOF Albert E. Price and Lee H. Shils, Chicago, 111., assignors to General American Transportation Corporation, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of New York Filed Aug. 6, 1964, Ser. No. 387,745 4 Claims. (Cl. 105377) The present invention relates to a railway hopper car body provided with an elongated loading hatch in the roof thereof, and more particularly to such car body, wherein the loading hatch comprises an elongated longitudinally extending hatch opening having a length between the opposite ends thereof that is substantially commensurate with that of the roof and a composite cover of sectional construction operatively associated with the hatch opening, and wherein the cover sections are adequate in number so that each individual cover section is of light-weight structure in order that it may be readily moved manually between its open and closed positions, with the result that any number of the cover sections, or all of them, may be readily moved into their open and closed positions, as desired.

It is a general object of the invention to provide a railway hopper car body of the character described, and also comprising an improved construction and arrangement of the elements of the loading hatch, so that the individual cover sections thereof are not only of lightweight structure, but are simple and economical to manufacture, and positively seal the hatch opening against the entry thereinto of the elements of weather when all of the cover sections occupy their closed positions.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a railway hopper oar body, improved loading hatch structure of the character described and further comprising an arrangement of a plurality of laterally extending and longitudinally spaced-apart clamps carried by the roof and cooperating with the cover sections and selectively movable between clamping and releasing positions with respect to the cover sections in their closed positions, and an arrangement of a plurality of fastening mechanisms carried by the roof and respectively cooperating with the clamps and selectively operative between holding and releasing positions with respect to the clamps in their clamping positions.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a railway hopper car body, improved loading hatch structure of the character described, and further comprising an arrangement of a platform carried by the roof and including a pair of elongated longitudinally extending and laterally spaced-apart sections respectively disposed on opposite sides of the hatch opening, whereby the cover sections and the clamps and the fastening mechanisms are selectively manually operable between their respective two corresponding positions by a trainman standing on one of the platform sections, and wherein the platform sections permit a trainrnan to walk longitudinally therealong and from end to end of the roof of the railway hopper car in a convenient and safe manner.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangement of the elements of the railway hopper car body, whereby the above-ou-tlined and additional operating features thereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will'best be understood by reference to the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanyin g drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a railway hopper car body embodying the present invention;

3,265,440 Patented August 16, 1966 FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view, partly broken away, of the car body shown in FIG. 1, and illustrating the loading hatch construction carried by the roof of the car body;

FIG. 3 is a further enlarged plan view of the portion of the loading hatch construction, as shown in the closed boundary line 3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary lateral sectional view of the top of the car body, and illustrating the lateral cross section of one of the end cover sections of the composite cover incorporated in the loading hatch construction, this view being taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 44 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a still further enlarged fragmentary plan view of a portion of the loading hatch construction, and illustrating one of the intermediate clamps incorporated therein, as shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a still further enlarged fragmentary lateral sectional view, partly broken away, of the loading hatch construction, and also illustrating the intermediate clamp, as shown in FIG. 5, this view being taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 66 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is another enlarged fragmentary plan view of the hatch construction similar to FIGS. 3 and 5, and illustrating the arrangement of the contiguous ends of the two cover sections, as shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary lateral or side view of the clamp that is operatively associated with the contiguous end of the two cover sections, as shown in FIG. 7, this view being taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 88 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the hatch construction, this view being taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 99 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is another greatly enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the hatch construction, this view being taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 1010 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 11 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary lateral sectional view of the hatch construction, this view being quite similar to FIG. 6, and illustrating the stop arrangement for restraining the adjacent cover sections in its partial open position; and

FIG. 12 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the hatch construction, this view being taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 1212 in FIG. 11.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the railway hopper car body 10 there illustrated, and embodying the features of the present invention, is of boxlike form comprising a pair of longitudinally extending and laterally spaced-apart upstanding side walls 11, a pair of laterally extending and longitudinally spacedapart upstanding end walls 12, a roof 13, and bottom structure 14. The roof 13 includes a pair of longitudinal-1y extending roof sheets 13a and 13b respectively disposed laterally on opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of the body 10 and respectively sloping laterally and downwardly in opposite directions from the longitudinal center line of the body 10, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, toward the longitudinally extending eaves of the roof sheets 13a and 1312 respectively adjacent to the side walls 11. The bottom structure 14 is of suitable configuration to define a number of hoppers 14a in the body 10, two such hoppers 14a being illustrated for the purpose of the present description.

The car body 10 is especially adapted to the transportation of granular material, whereby each of the hoppers 14a terminates in a bottom outlet surrounded by an associated collar 15, as best shown in FIG. 1; which collar 15 is adapted to support an outlet nozzle, not shown,

loading of the granular material from the body 19 via the hoppers 14a in a well-known manner.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 4, inclusive, the side walls 11 are reinforced by longitudinally spaced-apart upstanding outside rigid posts 16 that are rigidly tied at the lower ends thereof into a rigid underframe, not shown, of the body which posts 16 are arranged in laterally spacedapart pairs and rigidly connected together at the upper ends thereof by a plurality of laterally extending and longitudinally spaced-apart inside carlines 17. Thus, the body 10 is of strong rigid structure; and the roof sheets 13a and 13]) are supported by the opposite end portions of the carlines 17, as best shown in FIG. 4. Preferably, the roof sheets 13a and 13b are welded, or otherwise rigidly secured, to the carlines 17 in order further to lend great rigidity to the body 10.

An elongated longitudinally extending loading hatch construction 20 is carried by the central portion of the roof 13 for the purpose of loading the granular material into the body 10. More particularly, as best shown in FIGS; 3 and 6, the inner edges of the central portions of the roof sheets 13a and 13b are arranged in laterally spaced-apart relation to provide a corresponding elongated longitudinally extending hatch opening 21 in the roof 13, the hatch opening 21 being centrally disposed with respect to the longitudinal and lateral axes of the roof 13 and of substantially rectangular configuration. The hatch construction 20 comprises an elongated substantially rectangular coaming 22 carried by the central portions of the roof 13 and disposed in adjacent surrounding relation with the hatch opening 21 and rigidly secured in place upon the roof 13 by welding, or the like. The coaming 22 is of water-tight construction and is secured in water-tight relation to the roof 13 so as to define a corresponding elongated substantially rectangular throat 22a therethrough and through the hatch opening 21 from the exterior into the top of the body 10, thereby to accommodate the loading of the granular material into the storage or loading chamber defined within the body 10 and communicating with the hoppers 14a.

The coaming 22 further comprises a substantially rectangular base 22b surrounding the bottom thereof and a substantially rectangular rim 22c surrounding the top thereof. The base 22b is in the form of an outwardly directed flange and may be directly rigidly secured to the adjacent portions of the roof sheets 13a and 13b in surrounding relation with the hatch opening 21; and the rim 22C is in the form of an outwardly directed and downwardly turned flange and surrounds in collar-like fashion the top of the throat 22a extending through the coaming 22. Thus, the coaming 22 comprises a pair of elongated longitudinally extending extending and laterally spaced-apart portions or members 23 and a pair of short laterally extending and longitudinally spaced-apart portions or members 24, each of the members 23 and 24 having the channel-like cross-section, as previously described. While the hatch opening 21 is continuous from end to end thereof, the passage through the throat of the coaming 22 and through the hatch opening 21 is interrupted only by the plurality of laterally extending and longitudinally spaced-apart inside carlines 17, so that this passage is for all practi-call purposes continuous from end to end of the coaming 22.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the roof 13 is further reinforced by a plurality of laterally extending and longitudinally spaced-apart outside rafters 31 and 32 that are rigidly secured in place on top of the roof 13. In the arrangement, the end rafters 31 are disposed longitudinally outwardly of the opposite ends of the hatch opening 21 and are thus not intercepted by the coaming 22; on the other hand, the intermediate rafters 32 are disposed longitudinally inwardly of the opposite ends of the hatch opening 21 and are thus intercepted by the coaming 22. Accordingly, each of the intermediate rafters 32 comprises two sections respectively positioned on opposite sides of the coaming 22 and arranged in lateral alignment with each other. Specifically, the inner ends of the two sections of each intermediate rafter 32 respectively abut the adjacent side members 23 of the coaming 22, as best shown in FIG. 4; and the inner ends mentioned are rigidly secured, as by Welding, to the adjacent members 23. The combination of the inside carlines 17, the outside rafters 31 and 32, and the coaming 22 render the roof 13 of strong construction and tie together the upper ends of the outside posts 16, thereby to tie the upper portion of the body It) to the underframe thereof, so as to produce a strong rigid unified structure of the body 10.

An elongated longitudinally extending platform is carried on top of roof 13, as best shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4; which platform 46 is of composite construction including a pair of side structures 41 and a pair of end structures 42. The side structures 41 are disposed adjacent to the opposite sides of the coaming 22 and are positioned laterally inwardly of the respectively adjacent sides of the roof 13; and the end structures 42 are disposed adjacent to theopposite ends of the coaming 22 and are positioned longitudinally inwardly of the respectively adjacent ends of the roof 13. The opposite ends of the side structures 41 respectively abut the adjacent ends of the end structures 42, whereby the platform 40 is of rectangular frame-like structuredisposed in surrounding relation with the coaming 22. Each of the side structures 41 may be formed of a plurality of sections suitably removably secured in place upon the adjacent underlying outside rafters 31 and 32, and each of the end structures 42 may be formed of a single section suitably removably secured in place upon the respectively adjacent underlying outside rafters 31. Each of the sections mentioned of the structures 41 and 42 may be formed of ribbon-like stock to form a grate-like construction, as best illustrated in FIG. 4.

Returning to the hatch construction 20, the same further comprises a composite cover cooperating with the rim 220 of the coaming 22 and including a pair of end cover sections 51 and a number of intermediate cover sections 52 arranged in contiguous longitudinal positions with respect to each other, four of the intermediate cover sections 52 being arranged between the two end cover sections 51 in the present example, as best shown in FIG. 2. Each of the cover sections 51 and 52 is of substantially rectangular configuration and of elongated form, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. Each of the end cover sections 51 comprises a substantially rectangular flat rim 51a, an upwardly positioned central body portion 51b, a laterally extending and downwardly turned end flange 510 at the outer end of the rim 51a, a pair of longitudinally extending and downwardly turned side flanges 51d at the respective sides of the rim 51a, and a laterally extending and upwardly directed end boss 51a at the inner end of the rim 51a, as best shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 7, 9 and 10. Each of the intermediate cover sections 52 comprises a substantially rectangular fiat rim 52a, an upwardly positioned central body portion 52b, a pair of longitudinally extending and downwardly turned side flanges 5201 at the respective sides of the rim 52a, and a pair of laterally extending and upwardly directed end bosses 52e at the respective ends of the rim 52a, as best shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 6, 7 and 9. As explained more fully below, the cover sections 51 and 52 are mounted upon the roof sheet 13a for independent hinged movements with respect to the coaming 22 and between open and closed positions with respect thereto. In the closed position of each end cover section 51, the rim 51a engages the top of the rim 220, the end flange 51c embraces the adjacent end of the rim 22c, and the side flanges 51d embrace the respectively adjacent sides of the rim 220. In the closed position of each intermediate cover section 52, the rim 52a engages the top of the rim 22c, and the side flanges 52d embrace the respectively adjacent sides of the rim 220. Also, when the cover sections 51 and 52 occupy their closed positions, the end bosses 51e are disposed in contiguous positions with the respectively adjacent end bosses 522, as illustrated in FIGS. 5, 7 and 9, and the other pairs of end bosses 526 are disposed in contiguous positions with respect to each other. Further, it is noted that the outer end of the rim 51a of each end cover section 51 carries on the top thereof a laterally extending channel-shaped end member 51 rigidly secured thereto, as best shown in FIG. 10; which end member 51] is employed for a purpose more fully described hereinafter.

Each cover section 51 and 52 is mounted upon the roof sheet 13a by a pair of longitudinally spaced-apart hinge mechanisms 60, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Specifically, each hinge mechanism 60 includes an element 61 rigidly secured to the roof sheet 13a and an element 62 rigidly secure-d to the side flange and to the side of the rim of the adjacent cover section 51 or 52; and the elements 61 and 62 are operatively connected by a pintle 63. Accordingly, each cover section 51 and 52 is mounted upon the individual pair of hinge mechanisms 60 for pivotal movements with respect to the adjacent portion or section of the coaming 22 and laterally thereof and between open and closed positions With respect to the rim 22c of the coaming 22. In order to facilitate such movements of the cover sections 51 and 52 by a trainman standing on the platform 40, the rims of the cover section 51 and 52 carry loop-like handles, respectively indicated at 51g and 52g in FIG. 2. In passing it is mentioned that the number of cover sections 51 and 52 incorporated in the composite cover 50 is adequate so that a trainman may readily lift the cover sections 51 and 52 employing the corresponding handles 51g and 52g in an obvious manner; whereby the trainman may move the cover sections 51 and 52, one at a time, between their open and closed positions, as desired.

The hinge mechanisms 60 are mounted upon the roof sheet 13a in a longitudinally extending aligned row so that the cover sections 51 and 52 in their full open positions project upwardly and laterally outwardly away from the coaming 22 and are disposed in longitudinal alignment with each other in their full open positions. The full open position of each cover section 51 and 52 is established by the individual pair of hinge mechanisms 60 secured thereto. Specifically, each hinge mechanism 60 also comprises a stop 64 carried by the element 61 and engaged by the element 62, when the cover section 51 or 52 occupies its full open position.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3, 11 and 12, a plurality of catch mechanisms 70 are carried by the roof sheet 13a and respectively by the cover sections 51 and 52 for the purpose of positively restraining the cover sections 51 and 52 in their open positions. Each of the catch mechanisms 70 comprises a latch 71 and a keeper 72. The latch 71 is pivotally mounted upon the side of the rim of the cover section 51 or 52 adjacent to the roof sheet 13a by a pintle 73 carried by a member 74, the member 74 being rigidly secured to the side of the rim mentioned. The keeper 72 is rigidly secured to the roof sheet 13a intermediate the two hinge mechanisms 60 of the pair mounting the cover section 51 or 52 in place and in cooperating relation with the coaming 22. The latch 71 terminates in a hook 75 that is disposed in alignment with an opening 76 provided in the keeper 72. In the arrangement, the keepers 72 are disposed in a longitudinally aligned row positioned well outwardly of the row of hinge mechanisms 60, as best shown in FIG. 3.

Considering now the operation of each catch mechanism 70, when the corresponding cover section 51 or 52 6 is hinged into its full open position with respect to the coaming 22, the stops 64 incorporated in the two hinge mechanisms 60 mounting the cover section mentioned restrain the same in its full open position, as previously explained, thereby to prevent the cover section 51 or 52 from pivoting laterally outwardly into interfering relation with the adjacent section 41 of the platform 40. At this time, the hook 75 carried by the latch 71 enters the opening 76 provided in the keeper 72.

Subsequently, when the trainman pivots the cover section 51 or 52 out of its full open position and laterally inwardly toward the coaming 22, the latch 71 moves upwardly and laterally inwardly with the cover section 51 or 52, whereby the cover section mentioned is then moved into a partial open position disposed intermediate its full open position and its full closed position. In the partial open position of the cover section 51 or 52, the hook 75 hangs the keeper 72, thereby to restrain the cover section mentioned in its partial open position, wherein it is directed upwardly and inclined laterally inwardly into overhanging relation with the coaming 22. In order to move the cover section 51 or 52 from its partial open position into its full closed position, the trainman lifts slightly upon the cover section 51 or 52, using the cooperating handle 51g or 52g, and pushes with his foot the hook 75 so as to move the same laterally inwardly into the opening 76 provided in the keeper 72. The trainman then releases the handle 51g or 52g, allowing the cover section 51 or 52 to fall by gravity into its full closed position. The cover section 51 or 52 is thus moved by gravity from its partial open position into its full closed position by virtue of the fact that the hook 75 in its position pushed into the opening 76 by the foot of the trainman is out of cooperating relation with the associated keeper 72, as will be apparent from an examination of FIGS. 11 and 12.

Further, the hatch construction 20 comprises, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 a pair of end clamps 81 operatively associated with the outer ends of the end cover sections 51 and a number of intermediate clamps 82 operatively associated with the respective junctions between the cover sections 51 and 5 2, five of the intermediate clamps 82 being required since there are six of the cover sections 51 and 52. The clamps 81 and 82 are mounted upon the roof sheet 13a by a corresponding plurality of hinge mechanisms arranged in a longitudinally extending row. Each of the end clamps 81 is selectively movable into clamping and releasing positions with respect to the adjacent end member 51 carried by the outer end of the rim 51a of the adjacent end cover section 51, when this end cover section 51 occupies its closed position, as shown in FIG. 10. Similarly, each of the intermediate clamps 82 is selectively movable into clamping and releasing positions with respect to the two contiguous end bosses 51c, 52:: (or 522, 52c) carried by the contiguous rims 51a, 5211 (or 52a, 52a) of the adjacent cover sections 51, 52 (or 52, 52), when the adjacent cover sections mentioned occupy their closed positions, as shown in FIG. 9. Each of the clamps 81 and 82 is of generally inverted U-shape, as viewed from the side thereof, as shown in FIG. 8; and each of the clamps 81 and 82 has -a generally channel-shaped cross-section, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 9, respectively.

Each of the hinge mechanisms 90 essentially comprises an element 91 rigidly secured to the adjacent end of the clamp 81 or 82, an element 92 rigidly secured to roof sheet 13a and also rigidly secured to the adjacent portion of the coaming 22, and a pintle 93 connecting together the elements 91 and 92, as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In the arrangement, the hinge mechanisms 90 and the hinge mechanisms 60 may be disposed in substantially the same longitudinally extending row, as shown in FIG. 3.

Consideringnow the mode of operation of the clamps 81 and 82, when the cover sections 51 and 52 occupy their closed positions, the clamps 81 and 82 may be selectively manually operated between their clamping and releasing positions. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10,

when the end clamp 81 is pivoted into its clamping posi tion, it embraces the cooperating end member 51f; and, as shown in FIG. 9, when the intermediate clamp 82 is pivoted into its clamping position, it embraces the cooperating two contiguous end bosses 51, 529 (or 52e, 52c). Thus, each of the end cover sections 51 in its closed position is clamped in place in such position, when the adjacent two clamps 81 and 82 occupy their clamping positions; and each of the end cover sections 51 is released for manual movement into its open position, when the adjacent two clamps 81 and 82 are moved into their releasing positions. Similarly each of the intermediate cover sections 52 in its closed position is clamped in place in such position, when the adjacent two clamps 82, 82 occupy their clamping positions; and each of the intermediate cover sections 52 is released for manual movement into its open position, when the adjacent two clamps, 82, 82 are moved into their releasing positions. Each of the intermediate clamps 82 in its clamping position embracing the contiguous end bosses 51a, 52e (or 52c, 52c) produces a water-tight joint between the two adjacent cover sections 51, 52 (or 52, 52) in their closed positions. Also, the clamps 81 and 82 in their clamping positions securely restrain the cover sections 51 and 52 in their closed positions, so as to produce a water-tight joint between the composite cover 50 and the rim 220 of the coaming 22. Further, the outwardly projecting and downwardly turned configuration of the rim 22c is very advantageous, since this geometry positively prevent the elements of weather and other foreign substances from creeping upwardly along the outer surface of the coaming 22 and gaining entry into the throat 22a of the coaming over the top of the rim 220.

Also, each of the hinge mechanisms 90 comprises a stop 94 that engages the adjacent element 91, when the associated clamp 81 or 82 is moved into its releasing position, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 6. This arrangement restrains each of the clamps 81 or 82 in its releasing position, wherein it is upwardly directed and laterally outwardly inclined, as indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 6, thereby to prevent interference with the adjacent side section 41 of the platform 40 by the clamps 81 and 82 in their releasing positions.

For the purpose of restraining the clamps 81 and 82 in their clamping positions, a plurality of fastening mechanisms 100 are respectively associated therewith. The fastening mechanisms 100 are carried by the roof sheet 13b and arranged in a longitudinally extending row, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Each of the fastening mechanisms 100 essentially comprises, as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a screw 101 pivotally mounted at the lower end thereof upon a pin 102 that is secured to a fixture 103 that is rigidly secured both to the roof sheet 1312 and to the coaming 22. Also, the fastening mechanism 100 comprises a laterally outwardly directed plate 104 that is rigidly secured to the adjacent end of the clamp 81 or 82 and movable therewith; which plate 104 has a centrally disposed open slot 105 formed in the outer end thereof and arranged in lateral alignment with the screw 101, whereby the screw 101 may be selectively pivoted upon the pivot pin 102 into and out of the slot 105 when the clamp 81 or 82 occupies its clamping position. Finally, the fastening mechanism 100 comprises an elongated sleeve 106 having an internally threaded opening therethrough and arranged in threaded engagement with the thread provided on the outer end portion of the screw 101; which sleeve 106 terminates at the upper end thereof in an enlarged hand wheel or disk 107.

In view of the above description of the construction and arrangement of the fastening mechanism 100, it will be understood that when the clamp 81 or 82 occupies its clamping position, the associated screw 101 may be readily pivoted into and out of the slot 105 in the cooperating plate 104. At this time, when the screw is pivoted upwardly about the pivot pin 102 into the slot 105, the hand wheel 107 may be rotated so as to tighten the sleeve 106 on'the screw 101, thereby to advance the lower end of the sleeve 106 into engaging relation with the plate 104 for the purpose of moving the adjacent clamp 81 or 82 into its full clamping position. Of course the sleeve 106 in its position of clamping engagement with the plate 104 restrains the adjacent clamp 81 or 82 in its full clamping position.

Subsequently, the hand wheel 107 may be rotated so as to loosen the sleeve 106 on the screw 101, thereby to retract the lower end of the sleeve 106 into releasing or disengaging relation with the plate 104 for the purpose of releasing the adjacent clamp 81 or 82; whereby the screw 101 may be pivoted downwardly about the pivot pin 102 and out of the slot 105 in the plate 104, so that the adjacent clamp 81 or 82 may then be moved from its clamping position into its releasing position.

In view of the above description it will be appreciated that in loading the granular material into the body 10 through the hatch construction 20-any one (or more or all) of the cover sections 51 or 52 of the composite cover 50 may be moved into its open position to accommodating the loading operation. This arrangement permits the one of the cover sections 51 or 52 that may be disposed adjacent to a loading nozzle, not shown, to be opened for the loading purpose, without requiring accurate spotting of the railway hopper car along the associated railway track and with respect to the loading nozzle. Also, this arrangement permits all of the cover sections 51 and 52 to be opened for the loading purpose, when a great plurality of loading nozzles, not shown, are arranged in adjacent positions with respect to each other and along the railway track supporting the hopper car, thereby greatly to minimize the loading time interval of the body 10. Further, this arrangement accommodates a loading scheme that is exceedingly fast, wherein all of the cover sections 51 and 52 are moved into their open positions, and the hopper car is moved slowly and continuously along the supporting railway track and below an open loading nozzle, with the result that the granular material is spilled into the body 10 successively through the corresponding adjacent portions or sections of the continuous throat 22a of the coaming 22, with all of the cover sections 51 and 52 in their open positions.

The construction of the end bosses 51c, 52e, etc., and the cooperation thereof with the clamp 82, etc. are very advantageous in that a weatherproof joint is obtained, when the clamp 82 occupies its clamping position, and without the use of resilient gaskets, or other expensive devices. This advantage flows fundamentally from the important structure wherein each end boss 51c, etc., extends first upwardly and then inwardly over the adjacent marginal portion of the cover section 51, etc., and ultimately downwardly toward the rim part 51a, etc., as best shown in FIG. 9. This structure is very economical as each cover section 51, etc., is preferably formed of sheet steel of appropriate gauge or thickness, and is of one-piece and integral structure through. The complete cover section 51, etc., may be made in accordance with conventional sheet metal working practices and involving stamping, bending and edge-rolling steps of simple and economical character.

In view of the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided a railway hopper car body incorporating an improved loading hatch construction in the roof thereof; which loading hatch construction is of simple and economical arrangement greatly facilitating the {loading of granular materials into the hopper car body for the usual storage and transportation purposes.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A rail way hopper car body of elongated box-like form comprising a roof having an elongated flongitudinally extending substantially rectangular hatch opening in the central portion thereof through which lading in finely divided condition may be loaded into said body, asubstantially rectangular coaming carried by said roof and surrounding said hatch opening and provided with a rim surrounding the open top thereof, a composite cover carried by said roof and cooperating with said rim and including a pair of end cover sections and a number of intermediate cover sections arranged in contiguous longitudinal positions with respect to each other, first means mounting said end cover sect-ions upon said roof for independent hinged movements laterally of said hatch opening and between open and closed positions with respect to the respectively adjacent end portions of said rim, second means mounting said intermediate cover sections upon said roof for independent hinged movements laterally of said hatch opening and between open and closed positions with respect to the respectively adjacent intermediate portions of said rim, wherein said composite cover closes said hatch opening when all of said cover sect-ions occupy their closed positions, a pair of end clamps carried by said roof and respectively cooperating with the adjacent outer ends of said end cover sections, third means mounting said end clamps upon said roof for independent hinged movements laterally of said hatch opening and between clamping and releasing positions with respect to the outer ends of the respectively adjacent ones of said end cover sections in their closed positions, a plurality of intermediate clamps carried by said roof and respectively cooperating with adjacent ones of the pairs of contiguous ends of said cover sections, fourth means mounting said intermediate clamps upon said roof for independent hinged movements laterally of said hatch opening and between clamping and releasing positions with respect to the respectively adjacent ones of the contiguous ends of two of said cover sections in their closed positions, wherein any one of said cover sections is released for hinged movement between its closed position and its open position in response to hinged movements of both of the respectively cooperating two of said clamps from their clamping positions into their releasing positions, and a plurality of fastening mechanisms carried by said roof and respectively cooperating with adjacent ones of said clamps, each of said fastening mechanisms being selectively operative between holding and releasing positions with respect to the adjacent cooperating one of said clamps in its clamping position, wherein any one of said clamps is released for hinged movement between its clamping position and its releasing position in response to operation of the adjacent cooperating one of said fastening mechanisms from its holding position into its releasing position, each one of said end cover sections carrying a downwardly turned end flange and a pair of downwardly turned side flanges that respectively embrace the corresponding adjacent portions of the end and the sides of said rim when said one end cover section occupies its closed position, each one of said intermediate cover sections carrying a pair of downwardly turned side flanges that respectively embrace the corresponding adjacent portions of the sides of said rim when said one intermediate cover section occupies its closed position, each one of said end cover sections also carrying a laterally extending and upwardly directed end boss at the inner end thereof, each one of said intermediate cover sections also carrying a pair of laterally extending and upwardly directed end bosses at the opposite ends thereof, whereby two of said end bosses are arranged in contiguous positions when the two corresponding adjacent ones of said cover sections occupy their closed positions, and each one of said intermediate clamps having a substantially channel-shaped cross section and provided with downwardly directed flanges so that when said one intermediate clamp occupies its clamping position it embraces and covers the adjacent and contiguous two of said end bosses respectively carried by the two corresponding adjacent ones of said cover sections in their closed positions.

2. The railway hopper car body set forth in claim 1, wherein each one of said end bosses carried by each one of said cover sections extends first upwardly from the adjacent marginal end portion of said one cover section and then longitudinally over the adjacent marginal end portion mentioned and then back downwardly toward the adjacent marginal end portion mentioned.

3. The railway hopper car body set forth in claim 1, wherein each one of said end cover sections is formed of sheet metal with said end flange and said side flanges and said end boss formed integrally therewith and about the perimeter thereof, and each one of said intermediate cover sections is formed of sheet metal with said side flanges and said end bosses formed integrally therewith and ab out the perimeter thereof.

4. The railway hopper car body set forth in claim 3, wherein each one of said end bosses carried by each one of said cover sections constitutes a rolled rim segment extending first upwardly from the adjacent marginal end portion of said one cover section and then longitudinally over the adjacent marginal end portion mentioned and then back downwardly toward the adjacent marginal end portion mentioned.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,917,167 7/1933 Tucke -377 2,840,010 6/1958 Roen 105-377 2,949,867 8/1960 Ramsey 105-377 2,985,118 5/1961 Maharick et al. 105-377 3,022,750 2/1962 Nichol 105-377 3,145,665 8/1964 Hamilton 105-377 3,155,052 11/1964 Carney 105-377 3,167,030 1/1965 Adler 105-377 OTHER REFERENCES Car Builders Cyclopedia, 21st edition, 1961, p. 277 relied upon.

ARTHUR L. LA POINT, Primary Examiner.

DRAYTON E. HOFFMAN, Examiner. 

1. A RAILWAY HOPPER CAR BODY OF ELONGATED BOX-LIKE FORM COMPRISING A ROOF HAVING AN ELONGATED LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR HATCH OPENING IN THE CENTRAL PORTION THEREOF THROUGH WHICH LADING IN FINELY DIVIDED CONDITION MAY BE LOADED INTO SAID BODY, A SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR COAMING CARRIED BY SAID ROOF AND SURROUNDING SAID HATCH OPENING AND PROVIDED WITH A RIM SURROUNDING THE OPEN TOP THEREOF, A COMPOSITE COVER CARRIED BY SAID ROOF AND COOPERATING WITH SAID RIM AND INCLUDING A PAIR OF END COVER SECTIONS AND A NUMBER OF INTERMEDIATE COVER SECTIONS ARRANGED IN CONTIGUOUS LONGITUDINAL POSITIONS WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER, FIRST MEANS MOUNTING SAID END COVER SECTIONS UPON SAID ROOF FOR INDEPENDENT HINGED MOVEMENTS LATERALLY OF SAID HATCH OPENING AND BETWEEN OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE RESPECTIVELY ADJACENT END PORTIONS OF SAID RIM, SECOND MEANS MOUNTING SAID INTERMEDIATE COVER SECTIONS UPON SAID ROOF FOR INDEPENDENT HINGED MOVEMENTS LATERALLY OF SAID HATCH OPENING AND BETWEEN OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE RESPECTIVELY ADJACENT INTERMEDIATE PORTIONS OF SAID RIM, WHEREIN SAID COMPOSITE COVER CLOSES SAID HATCH OPENING WHEN ALL OF SAID COVER SECTIONS OCCUPY THEIR CLOSED POSITIONS, A PAIR OF END CLAMPS CARRIED BY SAID ROOF AND RESPECTIVELY COOPERATING WITH THE ADJACENT OUTER ENDS OF SAID END COVER SECTIONS, THIRD MEANS MOUNTING SAID END CLAMPS UPON SAID ROOF FOR INDEPENDENT HINGED MOVEMENTS LATERALLY OF SAID HATCH OPENING AND BETWEEN CLAMPING AND RELEASING POSITIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE OUTER ENDS OF THE RESPECTIVELY ADJACENT ONES OF SAID END COVER SECTIONS IN THEIR CLOSED POSITIONS, A PLURALITY OF INTERMEDIATE CLAMPS CARRIED BY SAID ROOF AND RESPECTIVELY COOPERATING WITH ADJACENT ONES OF THE PAIRS OF CONTIGUOUS ENDS OF SAID COVER SECTIONS, FOURTH MEANS MOUNTING SAID INTERMEDIATE CLAMPS UPON SAID ROOF FOR INDEPENDENT HINGED MOVEMENTS LATERALLY OF SAID HATCH OPENING AND BETWEEN CLAMPING AND RELEASING POSITIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE RESPECTIVELY ADJACENT ONES OF THE CONTIGUOUS ENDS OF TWO OF SAID COVER SECTIONS IN THEIR CLOSED POSITIONS, WHEREIN ANY ONE OF SAID COVER SECTIONS IS RELEASED FOR HINGED MOVEMENT BETWEEN ITS CLOSED POSITION AND ITS OPEN POSITION IN RESPONSE TO HINGED MOVEMENTS OF BOTH OF THE RESPECTIVELY COOPERATING TWO OF SAID CLAMPS FROM THEIR CLAMPING POSITIONS INTO THEIR RELEASING POSITIONS, AND A PLURALITY OF FASTENING MECHANISMS CARRIED BY SAID ROOF AND RESPECTIVELY COOPERATING WITH ADJACENT ONES OF SAID CLAMPS, EACH OF SAID FASTENING MECHANISMS BEING SELECTIVELY OPERATIVE BETWEEN HOLDING AND RELEASING POSITIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE ADJACENT COOPERATING ONE OF SAID CLAMPS IN ITS CLAMPING POSITION, WHEREIN ANY ONE OF SAID CLAMPS IS RELEASED FOR HINGED MOVEMENT BETWEEN ITS CLAMPING POSITION AND ITS RELEASING POSITION IN RESPONSE TO OPERATION OF THE ADJACENT COOPERATING ONE OF SAID FASTENING MECHANISMS FROM ITS HOLDING POSITION INTO ITS RELEASING POSITION, EACH ONE OF SAID END COVER SECTIONS CARRYING A DOWNWARDLY TURNED END FLANGE AND A PAIR OF DOWNWARDLY TURNED SIDE FLANGES THAT RESPECTIVELY EMBRACE THE CORRESPONDING ADJACENT PORTIONS OF THE END AND THE SIDES OF SAID RIM WHEN SAID ONE END COVER SECTION OCCUPIES ITS CLOSED POSITION, EACH ONE OF SAID INTERMEDIATE COVER SECTIONS CARRYING A PAIR OF DOWNWARDLY TURNED SIDE FLANGES THAT RESPECTIVELY EMBRACE THE CORRESPONDING ADJACENT PORTIONS OF THE SIDES OF SAID RIM WHEN SAID ONE INTERMEDIATE COVER SECTION OCCUPIES ITS CLOSED POSITION, EACH ONE OF SAID END COVER SECTIONS ALSO CARRYING A LATERALLY EXTENDING AND UPWARDLY DIRECTED END BOSS AT THE INNER END THEREOF, EACH ONE OF SAID INTERMEDIATE COVER SECTIONS ALSO CARRYING A PAIR OF LATERALLY EXTENDING AND UPWARDLY DIRECTED END BOSSES AT THE OPPOSITE ENDS THEREOF, WHEREBY TWO OF SAID END BOSSES ARE ARRANGED IN CONTIGUOUS POSITIONS WHEN THE TWO CORRESPONDING ADJACENT ONES OF SAID COVER SECTIONS OCCUPY THEIR CLOSED POSITIONS, AND EACH ONE OF SAID INTERMEDIATE CLAMPS HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY CHANNEL-SHAPED CROSS SECTION AND PROVIDED WITH DOWNWARDLY DIRECTED FLANGES SO THAT WHEN SAID ONE INTERMEDIATE CLAMP OCCUPIES ITS CLAMPING POSITION IT EMBRACES AND COVERS THE ADJACENT AND CONTIGUOUS TWO OF SAID END BOSSES RESPECTIVELY CARRIED BY THE TWO CORRESPONDING ADJACENT ONES OF SAID COVER SECTIONS IN THEIR CLOSED POSITIONS. 